Amusement apparatus



Feb. 2, 1937. 5 w SH HE 2,069,686

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 9, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor 502002022 ifiikep/z 07 i,

Feb. 2, 1937.

Original Filed Oct. 9, 1935 S. W. SHEPHERD AMUSEMENT APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I npentor 5020772072 Wjiz i d,

Feb. 2, 1937. s. w. SHEPHERD AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 9, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 J Inventor Jam/72072 W Ji 0726715.

' Attm'nev Patented Feb. 2, 1937 PTE OiFFlE 44,265, October 9, 1935.

This application September 11, 1936, Serial No. 100,388

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in amusement devices of the type generally known as carousels, merry-gorounds, or round-abouts, and which usually comprise a plurality of cars or the like mounted to travel in a circular path.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an apparatus of the aforementioned character comprising a novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts through the medium of which a peculiar motion will be imparted to the cars during the travel thereof in a circular path, thus providing a highly amusing and exciting ride.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an amusement apparatus of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, safe, and which low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:-

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an amusement apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of a portion of the apparatus.

Figure 3 is a detail view in front elevation of one of the cars.

Figure 4 is a detail view in top plan, showing the means for hingedly connecting the traveling platforms.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an elevational view of one of the traveling units or sections, the support for the car being shown in section.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a circular undulating track I which is mounted 'on a suitable supporting frame 2. Encircling the track I is a stationary loading platform 3. It may be well to here state that the undulations in the circular track I are preferably not uniform.

The reference numeral designates generally a hub structure which is driven in any desired manner from a suitable source of power. Journaled on the hub 4 for swinging movement in a may be manufactured, installed and operated at vertical plane is a plurality of radiating rods 5 on the outer ends of which supporting wheels 6 are journaled for travel on the track I.

Hingedly mounted between the outer end portions of the radial rods 5 are traveling platforms I. The traveling platforms! are provided with bearings 8 at their ends which are journaled on the rods 5.

Mounted above each of the traveling platforms 1 is a support 9 in the form of a rod which it will be observed extends diagonally with respect to the length of the platform, that is to say from a point above the inner corner of the platform at one end thereof to a point above the outer corner of the platform at the opposite end of the platform. Standards I0 are provided for the said rod-like support 9, one of the standards being located at the inner corner of one end of the platform and the other standard located at the outer corner of the opposite end of the platform. Suspended from the rod-like supports 9 for lateral swinging movement at right angles to the supports 9 are cars Il, said cars being suspended through the medium of front and rear hangers l2 and I3 Manifestly by virtue of the arrangement described the cars are adapted to swing in lines tangential to the line of movement of the platform which contributes to the enjoyment of the passengers in the cars.

' It is thought that the operation of the apparatus will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. As the supporting wheels 6 travel over the undulating track I the traveling platforms I will, of course, be rocked backwardly and forwardly. By reason of the described ar-' rangement of the supports 9, this backward and forward rocking movement will cause the cars I I to swing laterally on said supports 9, as suggested in dotted lines inFigure 6 of the drawings. It will thus be seen that a highly amusing and exciting ride will be given by reason of the compound motion of the cars I I, said cars rocking back and forth and swinging as described with respect to the circular path of travel. The rear hangers I3 extend below the cars II and have mounted thereon shoes I4 which are frictionally engageable with arcuate brakes I5 on the traveling platforms 1, as best seen in Figure 6 of the drawings. If desired, the rear hangers I3 may be of the yield able type. The cars I I may be caused to swing in any desired degree of a circle or in a complete circle about the supports 9, it being understood that the passengers are to be strapped in position for safety.

It is believed that the many advantages of an amusement apparatus constructedin accordance with the present invention will bereadily understood, and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described,'it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts-may be resortedto which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed. 7

What is claimed is:--

1. An amusement apparatus comprising 'a circular, undulating track, a rotary hub, radiating rods pivotally connected to said hub, supporting above the platform and each extending from a point above an innervcorner at one end of its platform to a point above an outer corner at the opposite endof its platform, and a car 7 complementary'to each'of said supporting ro'ds,

said cars suspended from the supporting rods and swingable in planes at .right angles to the planes of the supporting rods.

3. An amusement apparatus comprising a circular undulating track, platforms arranged end to end and mounted for travel on said track,

means for moving said platforms over said track,

supporting rods, oneto each platform, maintained above the platform and each extending from, a' point above an inner corner at one end 01' its platformto apoint above an outer corner at the swingable in planes at right angles 'to the planes of the supporting rods, arcuate "brakes on said platforms, and cooperating brake ;shoes ;on isaid swingable cars for retarding ment of the cars. V

SOLOMON WYA'I'I' SHEPHERD.

opposite end of its platform,'and a car" com- V plementary to each of said supporting rods, said cars suspended from the supporting rods and the swinging move- J 

